CEDAR CITY, Utah, April 16 – Southern Utah University's men’s basketball program received a commitment from one player Wednesday, the first day of the spring National Letter of Intent signing period, SUU Coach Nick Robinson has announced. Jeff Nibo, a wing from Chaffey College in California has committed to play for the Thunderbirds next season.

"We are excited to welcome Jeff as the newest member of the Thunderbirds," Robinson said. "He comes from a great family, has been developed by coach Jeff Kline at the highest level of the CCCAA, and brings needed experience to our program."

Nibo, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound wing from Inglewood, Calif., helped lead Coach Jeff Kline’s squad to a 28-6 record this past season – including a 10-2 mark in Foothill Conference play – when the Panthers qualified for the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs, advanced to the CCCAA final four and finished the season with a No. 5 ranking. Overall, he averaged 11.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting at a 40 percent clip from the field and 72.7 percent from the free throw line. Nibo stepped it up in conference play, where he averaged 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game to earn all-Foothill Conference honors this past season. A graduate of Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Nibo – who was also an all-tournament selection after leading the Panthers to the championship of the Don Johnson Holiday Tournament –spent one season at Mt. San Antonio College prior to transferring to Chaffey College.

“I think I’ll bring leadership, hard work and dedication to the team and I’m going to be there ready to play,” Nibo said. “I enjoyed my visit there, I liked the campus very much and liked the players I met.

“I was impressed by the coaching staff, Coach Chad Bell and Coach Nick Robinson, who recruited me,” he added. “I felt they were honest with me about what they were going to expect from me and what was going on with the program.”

"Jeff Nibo is a long, agile, athletic, skilled lefty combo guard,” Coach Kline said. “He can knock down the three and break you down off the dribble. Southern Utah got a player who can take them to new heights."

Coach Robinson noted that the Thunderbirds anticipate additional signees as the signing period progresses.